At the Gambell Street voting location in Anchorage, the lines were an hour and a half long for much of the day, as Alaskans started going to the polls to vote early in the Nov. 5 General Election.
In downtown Anchorage, the line was an hour long, and in Wasilla, voters said they had never seen a line so long. Voters said the same thing about Soldotna — “Dress warmly. The line is long.”
In-person voting, including absentee in-person, started in many communities on Monday. Not in Fairbanks, where the roads were treacherous after 9 inches of snow, and then rain made conditions hazardous.
The Fairbanks situation was different, with nine inches of snow and then rain on top of it. Polling was closed, government offices were mostly closed, and schools were closed.
The Fairbanks Airport Police and Fire advised people to stay off the roads:
“We know what you’re thinking…you’re looking at your car and driveway covered with 9 inches of snow and thinking, “Meh – I can do this. It’s not THAT bad…Folks, it’s NOT good! We had 6-9 inches of snow last night and it’s been raining for the last few hours. We know you think you need that bottle of wine and a pack of smokes to get you through your kids being out of school today, but don’t. Just DON’T. Think of it as Mother Nature’s way of telling you today is a good day to quit. Let that New Years resolution start today.”
Voters are choosing their presidential favorite, a new member of Congress and every single House seat in the Alaska Legislature. They’re also voting on whether to raise the minimum wage and keep ranked-choice voting in place in Alaska.
Fairbanks Airport Police and Fire, warn people to stay off the road? Yet if you have a flight, drive safely? LOL
Lefties voting early and often. It is a religious sacrament to vote communist at least 3 times.
PM–according to WaPo, more Republicans than Democrats are voting early this year because Trump is now encouraging early voting.
In Palmer, the early voter turnout was pretty impressive. It was the best Ive seen it in years. The polling location was very organized, done very professionally. Sure the line was out the door and over an hour wait. But well worth it. It was fun catching up with a lot of right leaning folks I hadn`t seen in awhile with a bit of a festive atmosphere.
I was also in Palmer on Monday. Total time about 45 minutes from entry to exit.
I did have a concern for several people in wheelchairs. One woman asked the poll worker if there was a different entrance for wheelchairs as her husband was in one. She was told no. End of help. Then as I was leaving, another man in a wheelchair with a visible urinary catheter bag was parked in the entry area with a caregiver pushing his chair. They opted to leave rather than wait and I overheard the caregiver tell the man it was busy because of it being the first day.
I am wondering why there is nothing set up to help expedite those who may have difficulty waiting? If there is something it was not witnessed by me. There were others who had canes or visible difficulties and they took a seat to wait while the people who accompanied them stood in line.
I’ll vote on real Election Day, in person. Thank you.
Yep. That’s what Democrats want conservatives to do. It’s much easier to mess with the internet, power, water mains and voting machines on a single day than multiple days. VOTE EARLY!
Until we can get rid of early voting, we have to play the democrats’ game. After we get back in power then we can fix the election system. I used to be one of those who always voted on Election Day. I’ve never missed a vote in my life. This year was the first time I voted early. We need to send the Dems a message that we can play their game too. Their tricks to gain advantage over Republicans won’t work anymore. Early voting also means candidates will stop using resources on calls and fliers because they will know you already voted.
Yes on 2!!!!
It’s like a swimming pool in Fairbanks. A foot of snow, followed by all day rain. And in latter October. If this occured on November 5, Democrats would be partying all week long. This weather event in the Interior is exactly why we need early voting for two weeks.
I voted yesterday and I’m not a lefty
Us too. The Eagle River location had about a half hour wait, inside. I would estimate that the usual Eagle River and Chugiak voter demographic was represented, which is majority conservative.
Vote a straight Republican, conservative ticket. The only way to get our state back on true course
early voting is in full swing! grateful for long lines, shows citizens care about doing their civic duty. buck up, be prepared to do a little wait time, get your coffee, tune in some tunes on your buds, or bring a book. it is well worth the wait. we waited in line yesterday at the 2525 gambell st location. long line, went smooth, people were chatty, calm, and greeted their friends. elections staff are working to ensure every thing is tiptop. vote on! 🙂
whoo hoo early voting has begun. we waited yesterday in a line at 2525 gambell st. easy peasy, no fussing, or discontent. people turning out to do their civic duty is good to see. so, make it an event. take your coffee, tune up some tunes on your ear buds or take a book. be a part of early voting history!
oh, speaking of voting, why no mrak story on tilton’s revelation about the legislature voting down a bill re: witness signatures because it would as Tilton said…Alaska GOP House Speaker Tilton on killing election reform bill: It ‘would have leaned the election towards Mary Peltola’. did i miss mrak take on this? thanks.
No story, Theresa, because there is no story. No bill should be passed that leans the election toward one side or the other. The Democrats made this into a talking point for the mainstream media, which went with it, but there is no actual story. Not allowing elections to be rigged, not allowing easily cheated ballots is what she said she and the conservatives fought for. Careful what you are reading in the mainstream media. – sd
Touche’
Is it okay to just vote your #1 candidate and not rank choice the remaining candidates? Any pros/cons to this method?
morning SD, thanks for the reply.